Minutes from May 10 2010
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia1Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order with Warden Thurber in thechair at 6:04 pm.AttendanceCouncillors present: Jim Thurber, Warden Jimmy MacAlpine, Deputy Warden Linda Gregory, Councillor Randall Amero, Councillor Maritza Adams, CouncillorStaff present: Linda Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer Gordon Wilson, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Cora Lee Bremner, Executive SecretaryPrayerWarden Thurber asked everyone to pause to seek guidance for the meeting.AgendaMOVED and seconded that the agenda be approved ascirculated.MOTION CARRIED
Hearings & PresentationsIan Russell – NovaScotia WeekMOVED and seconded that Mr. Ian Russell come before theCommittee to make a presentation on Nova Scotia Week.MOTION CARRIED Mr. Russell came before the committee to make apresentation on Nova Scotia Week. He gave a brief outlineof what took place during the trip to Scotland last year in which there were 42 delegates from Nova Scotia. There area number of benefits with bringing delegates from NovaScotia to Scotland and from Scotland to Nova Scotia. Onething that Mr. Russell would like to see in Digby is amanufacturing industry. It is a prime location with Digbybordering on the Bay of Fundy. In 2010, Mr. Russell would like to focus on tourism and
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia2promoting Nova Scotia as a destination. More specifically, he would like to promote Digby. He is currently working on bringing people into Digby with the goal of getting themto open businesses in this area. Mr. Russell is looking for representation from theMunicipality. The cost is $2,850 per person. Theorganization is a non-profit organization. He noted thatCouncillor Gregory did a great job last year representing theMunicipality. Warden Thurber thanked Mr. Russell for the presentationand advised that this will be discussed by Council and notedthat there will be Council representation. Mr. Russell asked Council to check out the followingwebsite: www.helloscotland.comMinutesApril 13, 2010MOVED and seconded that the minutes of April 13, 2010 beapproved as circulated.MOTION CARRIED
Business Arising/OldBusinessWestern CountiesRegional Libraries –Personal EmergencySystemsWeymouth DrainageGrass Burning It was noted that the safety devices for the WesternCounties Regional Libraries do not rely on the cell phoneservice; therefore, should work fine in Weymouth. A quote will be received by the end of the month for thedrainage issue in Weymouth. Deputy Warden MacAlpine would like to come up with a solution to the grass burning issue discussed at the lastCOTW meeting. It was suggested that Council reviewexisting bylaws from other Municipal Units to see how thisis addressed and discuss it at a Bylaw and Policy meeting. Deputy Warden MacAlpine noted that there is another unitwith a bylaw in place that addresses this, and another unitwith one in progress. It was suggested to have this issue in the Coastline next
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia3spring.Other BusinessArising NILWarden Thurber No Business ArisingDeputy WardenMacAlpine No Business ArisingCouncillor Gregory No Business ArisingCouncillor Amero No Business ArisingCouncillor Adams No Business Arising
New Business#1 UnsightlyComplaint – DerelictVehicles on DigbyNeck There was a discussion regarding derelict vehicles. It wasnoted that the price is high for scrap metal now so peopleare getting rid of it. There are people willing to pick up derelict vehicles for free; however, this would be hard tocoordinate. There was a discussion regarding theDangerous and Unsightly Act and how people can interpretunsightly premises differently. It was agreed to review the Dangerous and Unsightly Act to see if there is a way to tighten it up. If Council wishes tomake changes, a resolution should be taken to the UNSM atthe fall conference. A letter will be sent back to the complainant advising ofCouncil’s plan to review the Dangerous and Unsightly Actand also advising that Council has addressed one of theissues outlined in the letter.#2 UnsightlyComplaint – Litter in Ditches There was a discussion regarding what can be done with thelitter in the ditches throughout the Municipality. It wassuggested that there be a detailed story in the June Coastlineon community pride. This article should make peopleaware of the By-law Enforcement Officer. This articleshould also make people aware of the program availablethrough Waste Check for groups who can receive funding inthe amount of $200 if they are willing to cleanup a 1 km
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia4section of highway. It was noted that the suitcases and toilet that werementioned in the letter received must be addressed. Council will discuss the option of making property ownersresponsible for the ditches in front of their property at aPolicy and Bylaw meeting.#3 AirportSurveillance Camera –Quotes There was a discussion regarding replacing the surveillanceCamera that RCMP used to have at the Airport. Thecamera that had been there was able to rotate to view theDog Kennel and around to the runway. There is a camerathat would provide a view of the bus only, for a cost of $500 - $600. The Deputy CAO is recommending that acamera be installed like the one that was there previously so that the dispatchers have a view of vehicles and planes thatare coming and going. This is good for security at theAirport. This camera can also be accessed from homewhich would be good for being able to see the snowconditions for plowing in the winter.MOVED and seconded that Council accept the DeputyCAO’s recommendation to purchase a surveillance camerafrom Norm Levesque.MOTION CARRIED
#4 Digby CountyFamily ResourceCentre The Digby County Family Resource Centre is looking at thepossibility of having a Multi-purpose community centrebuilt in the area. They are looking for a letter of supportfrom Council so that they can move forward and hire aConsultant to have a feasibility study done. They are alsolooking to have representation from Council to sit on asteering committee.MOVED and seconded that Council send a letter of supportto Digby County Family Resource Centre for this project.MOTION CARRIED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 5
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia5CorrespondenceRegion of Queens –Letter to Minister Jennex Re: MunicipalFinesMOVED and seconded that a letter be sent to MinisterJennex, carbon-copied to the Region of Queens supportingthe two recommendations outlined by the Region of Queens.MOTION CARRIEDChief AdministrativeReportBudget MeetingsMaud Lewis Site The CAO report dated May, 2010 was included in theCOTW Package. The CAO noted that she needs to have a couple extrabudget meetings in order to have the budget ready forapproval by the end of June. Council discussed possibledates. The CAO has emailed the person who had been lookingafter mowing the lawn at the Maud Lewis site last year.They plan to continue this year and it has been mowedalready. The CAO is expecting an answer in regards to thetiming of the signage on the site very shortly. Request for Decisions/DirectionDepartment ReportsTaxation The Taxation report for May 2010 was included in themeeting package.There were questions regarding theowner unknown properties. It was explained that anyowner unknown properties have to be offered to NaturalResources before the Municipality can do anything with them. There was also a question regarding the redemptionperiod for the 2010 tax sale. The redemption period for the2010 tax sale ends on September 13, 2010.
Building Inspection Report/Fire Inspection Report The Building Inspection report for May 2010 was includedin the meeting package. There was a discussion regarding the rags that arecontinually being found in the pump and what can be doneabout it. The Deputy CAO advised Council that he recentlyfound out that diapers that are flushed can appear to be ragsafter they go through the system.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 6
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia6 Council felt there is a need for education in this area.Airport/Dispatch The Airport/Dispatch report for May, 2010 was included inthe meeting package. There was a question regarding thenumber of calls received. The Deputy CAO is going toreview these numbers with the person who prepared thereport.Dog Control Activityand Financial Report The Dog Control Activity and Financial report for May2010 was included in the meeting package.Coordinator ProgramDevelopmentN/AOther BusinessN/AUpdates fromPrevious meetingsN/ASpecial ProjectsUpdatesN/AStrategic PrioritiesUpdateThe Strategic Priorities update for April 30, 2010 was sent outprior to the meeting.Notice of MotionN/AComments from theGalleryN/AAdjournmentMOVED and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 7:30PM. MOTION CARRIED____________________________________________________________WARDENCLERK
